Award History
NCAA DII Program of the Year2024 NCAA Division II Track & Field and Cross Country Program of the Year
NEW ORLEANS – New and old.
West Texas A&M’s men and Adams State’s women were named the Damon Martin Men’s Program of the Year and Jerry Baltes Women’s Program of the Year, respectively, for the 2023-24 academic year. The Buffs claimed their first-ever honor, while the Grizzlies continued to stockpile Program of the Year hardware in their trophy case.
USTFCCCA Program of the Year Standings – Final Update |
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Men’s Program
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POY Points
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Women’s Program
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POY Points
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West Texas A&M
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10
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Adams State
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4
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Pittsburg State
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13
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Grand Valley State
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9
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Grand Valley State
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14
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West Texas A&M
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17
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Wingate
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16.5
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Pittsburg State
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21
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Colo. School of Mines
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35.5
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Colo. School of Mines
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25
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Men’s Story
Consistency makes history.
West Texas A&M was named the Damon Martin Division II Men’s Program of the Year after a year that saw it finish on the podium at each of the NCAA Championships. The Buffs were fourth in both cross country and indoor track & field, then took runner-up honors outdoors. WTAMU is the first program other than Adams State or Grand Valley State to nab this prestigious honor (Adams State won the first nine awards offered; Grand Valley State won each of the past four).
Pittsburg State made a heck of a run after finishing 11th in cross country. The Gorillas won back-to-back track & field titles to finish with 13 Program of the Year points, three behind the Buffs.
Four-time winner Grand Valley State ended up third in 2024 with 14 POY points. The Lakers, who hadn’t finished outside of the top-2 for this award since 2013, capped the year with a fifth-place effort at the 2024 NCAA DII Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Wingate was fourth with 16.5 POY points to land its best finish in program history, while Colorado School of Mines rounded out the top-5 programs with 35.5 POY points.
Women’s Story
Adams State reigns once again.
The Grizzlies were named the Jerry Baltes Division II Women’s Program of the Year after a strong season that saw them win the indoor title and finish runner-up in both cross country and outdoor track & field. This is the second year in a row and the fourth time in the past five years that Adams State brought this trophy back to Alamosa, Colorado.
Grand Valley State finished in a familiar spot, if it doesn’t win: runner-up. The Lakers, who either win this award or place second, ended up with nine POY points following a national title in cross country and two fourth-place finishes in indoor and outdoor track & field.
West Texas A&M earned a podium spot for the third consecutive year. The Buffs were sixth in cross country, fifth in indoor track & field and sixth in outdoor track & field.
Pittsburg State closed like a runaway locomotive with a runner-up finish indoors and a national title outdoors. That gave the Gorillas 21 POY points following their 18th place finish in cross country and then Colorado School of Mines was fifth in the standings with 25 POY points.